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2013 Triumph Tiger Sport Drops Remainder of Off-Road Pretense

Triumph has certainly jumped in with both feet when it comes to adventure motorcycles. It’s line-up now consists of 800cc models, 1200cc models, and the original 1050cc Triumph Tiger, now revised for 2013 under the moniker Triumph Tiger Sport.

The Triumph Tiger Sport looks like a street bike, plain and simple. Not much new there, but now the engine tuning matches its road inclinations with a significant boost to both horsepower and torque. Horsepower is up nearly 10% (now a claimed 123 bhp), with peak torque roughly 4½ pounds/feet higher (77 pounds/feet) versus the 2012 model.

To go along with the added boost, Triumph has made a number of other changes, including new spring rates and valving for the suspension, slightly steeper steering head angle and longer wheelbase.

Revised bodywork includes a new tail, side panels and windscreen. The optional belly pan is now standard on this model. Headlights are new, as well, and said to be much brighter.

In keeping with the street orientation, the seat is lower and narrower, and the swingarm is now single-sided.

The bike should be in dealerships in Europe from March of this year, but U.S. availability and pricing is unknown at this point.

57 Comments

It’s great that it’s not available in the US. This allows me to say, “If they brought this bike to the US, I would certainly buy one!” Liar. There’s a hundred new bikes I can buy in the US, and I’m not buying those, either, but that’s only because I don’t have any money.

The next “improvement” will be to lower the seat to accommodate more riders to sell more bikes. Then they will have to drop the “Adventure” moniker and all you have is regular street bike, although a pretty cool one at that.

I’m not so sure about that. The speed triple has short travel suspension that will beat you to death on rough pavement. I ride a 2007 Multistrada and my buddy had a speed triple. We were on a riding trip in Colorado on the road between Lake City and Creede. He complained the whole way. This Tiger Sport reminds me of the Ducati. It has no intentions of being an off-road bike, but should be a great bike for everything short of track days.

I owned a 2010 Tiger SE, and this looks great. Cover most of the issues I had with the SE. Single sided swing arm. More power 125HP. Better suspension. Better rear frame design which is stiffer. Luggage that will hold a full face helmet.

This would be a great bike to get around on. Fun to ride, comfy, and sporty. Was looking at the new GS 1200, and Tiger Explorer but did not want to go too far down the adventure road.

I currently ride a 06 Sprint ST and 09 Street Triple R, I would love a bike that could combine the two, this is close. With some hard side bags, adjustable suspension, and a seat height somewhere around 30″ this would be on my short list. I like nakeds/street fighters, I also love the Sprint for it’s touring comfort. Triumph should rework their 800cc triple to be more like the MV Agusta 800cc triple and offer this bike in a few different configurations, since “a one size fits all” is not reality.
For now I am not parting with either my Sprint ST or Street Triple.

Ahhhh, yes … the return of the standard. It is nice to see rationality returning to motorcycling. These were the ergonomics of ALL bikes back in the 70s and 80s, before the marketing geniuses decided that street bikes needed MotoGP dimensions. You don’t need to tie yourself into a pretzel to enjoy performance riding. Here’s hoping Triumph and other rational builders strike it rich with this new formula.

I have mixed feelings on the update of this bike. Approaching 50 and having riden standards and sportbikes my whole life, I am looking for a bike for my next bike. My Ideal bike would be a Motus. I think they are building the perfect bike for my kind of riding. Powerful Torque-Laden motor, “light weight” sport tuned suspension, upright sport-touring Ergonomics, wind blast protection body work, removable saddle bags, has a respectable sound, looks are about 75% pleasing. Dealer Network is an obvious limiting factor.

The upright ergonomics are a non-negotiable factor. If I can’t have that, there’s no reason to move up from the 2003 SV1000 N which is my trusty daily mount.

Since I am raising a family and not made of $$$ I can’t drop 30 or 36K on a Motus. So the most realistic choices for me to get what I want are; a Triumph Tiger 1050 or a KTM SMT 990. Throw in the Ducati MS1200 for good measure, why not…its bitchin.

Both of them offer light weight sport tuned chassis, torquey motors and upright ergonomics. Both also have the Tall ADV Bike Stance which for me is the drawback. I have a 31″ inseam and have ridden a BMW GS for the better part of a day (one the street. So I can deal with it but would most likely drop either bike an inch.

Reharding the update to the Tiger 1050; more power and torque are welcome as is the slight drop in seat height and revisions to the suspension. I wish they were also dropping the ADV Bike stance (since they are obviously conceding its a street bike) and then redesigning the body work to something that didn’t look so……. 2006

Right now I think the KTM SMT 990 is the most logical choice. I like the looks better and only by virtue of reviews, seems more suited to my personality. I hope they drop the 1200 motor in it for 2014, but I fear that the 1190 ADV will replace the SMT.

All in all I think the motorcycle industry is moving in the right direction, realizing they have an aging demographic of sportbike riders who aren’t ready to switch to an FJR1300 or R1200RT.

Having owned 2 SV100s, and two Tiger 1050’s: The Tiger is about a 1000 times more comfortable than the SV, and MUCH lighter steering. Motors are about equal for character and power. Brakes win on the Tiger too. Great wind protection with a Madstad screen.

Yes, an 800 version would be nice. If this bike does well maybe Triumph will nudge the base Tiger 800 in this direction.

Too tall? To bad. Until somebody makes a bike work with a 12″ rear wheel you’ll need a long wheel base to get a low seat hight and have enough suspension travel to deal with today’s crappy roads. The short of inseam will be riding cruisers, sorry.

I’d prefer a belt drive over a chain or a shaft but, like not having a standard center stand, the chain is an annoyance rather than a deal breaker.

Looks like a Yamaha, maybe. Looks like Versys? No, I didn’t want to gag when I saw this bike so it doesn’t look like a Versys.

Agreed. 125 hp and high-70s foot lbs of torque in an upright, semi-naked Triple should definitely rip. If it’s going to have a chain, though, a bike with this much power would certainly benefit from having a center stand just to assist in dealing with chain maintenance. I’m sure that Triumph will make it an available option, along with heated grips and, most likely, hard bags.

All that being said, aside from the windscreen issues I’d probably still rather have the better looking, lighter Tiger 800.

I like that red one actually. But here in the USA we will get some lame color like blue or silver. The big thing for me is I cannot afford such machines. Being that we are in a recession, we need stripped down machines. Keep the price low by not putting so much junk on it. Honda is finally making bikes to get new riders on the streets. That is what we need. I am thinking about the Honda CB500F, for example. I have had big gas guzzlers but who wants to fill the tank so often and send more money to Kuwait and the big oil companies? Kuwait had an hour long New Years fireworks show. I talked with a Triumph sales guys. Most of their sales are Bonnevilles. Harley keeps selling Sportsters but the chassis is a piece of junk and they refuse to put overhead cams in their motors. Potato this! Well, look out for the Janus Halycon and other bikes from Janus. Hopefully they will teach Harley a thing or two.

Wow, it now has as much power as my 2008 Sprint. Yawn, I think their bases are covered with the 800 and 1200. I’d like them to move onto the next Triumph I couldn’t live without. How about a scrambler really made for the dirt or like the previous comment, a sexy cool standard motorcycle with modern suspension?

Yep, dethroned by who’s definition? Quarter mile times? Is the price the same? Is there a dealer support network in the western U.S.? Does the Triumph weigh less, the same or more? An American cruiser owner told me he’d buy a Triumph because it’s “Anything other than Jap”. Is the accessory market availability the same for both? Questions, questions, where for art thou….?

What with the red and white fairing decals and the ubiquitous cat-eyes headlights, does anybody else here think this thing looks very much like a Yamaha?

Wishlist? A MUCH smaller exhaust pipe—just check out the BMW 1000RR, any MV Agusta Brutale or even Triumph’s own new Street Triple for proof that a modern motorcycle can still get away with having a small, decent-looking pipe—and, oh, shaft drive, a standard center stand, standard removable hard bags, and a windshield that’s swept back enough to prevent the inevitable wind noise/turbulence these shields always seem to cause with upright bikes such as V-Stroms, Tiger 800s and BMW Roadsters.

They could have designed a smaller rear muffler but I’m pretty sure that would necessitate a large box collector and catalyzer under the engine. I rather like this look and it makes swapping out the muffler there easier and less costly should I want to. Viva la differance

I have a current 2012 ABS SE amazingly excellent bike with awesome cornering clearance. Issues I had were poor headlights,gear change lever(changed to machined one from UK) Screen turbulence (replaced with after-market MRA VARIO TOURING SMOKED SCREEN ) The bike is flawless now,however I love the improvements on the new Sport,single sided arm,headlights,switch block button for menu on screen,even further tweaks to suspension (SE was nicely firmed/tuned up from previous models)
I’d prefer this new model with more grunt,no panniers(used them twice,poor traffic filter potential on)
Looks like I have my new bike picked out 🙂

THESE BIKES ARE STUPID – a tall offloaded that is street worthy – just like a SUV that can only go on street and is tuned for performance… JUST BUILD A F@&$ING STANADARD BIKE – sportbike quality components on a standard bike that is 2up capable, commute friendly and track worthy….

Yes two reason I fate these bikes are they look stupid and yes I am vertically challenged – utility bikes need to lower than sport bikes not taller.

Stupid?…..I guess where you’re from the roads are like billiard tables. As an 990 SMT owner who has had several bikes to compare it to, I can tell you nothing gobbles up mid corner bumps and other road junk while embarrassing pure focus sport bikes in the twisties than this style of bike.

not saying these type of bikes dont ride well – i have ridden a previous gen tiger and also a multistrada – you are correct – but they don’t need motorcross suspension travel for that. if it is going to be street focused they don’t need tall spindly suspension.. just good calibrated suspension sportbike sized suspension is enough.

TomS you are spot on – this is the new standard and that is another reason I don’t like it. like saying a crossover SUV is the new car – and yes less utility with those bulky canisters eating into saddlebag space

I have thought about it – lower a multistrada but I don’t want to mess with the geometry – even talked to a local suspension shop (catalyst suspension in San Carlos, CA) who is planning on making a kit given demand. a GS or explorer is cool and utilitarian but making these bikes the new standard road bikes makes no sense to me

Stupid?! Really, just because you can’t ride it does that make it stupid? I have a 2007 Tiger1050, beautiful metal yellow color, lowering link and some add ons and it is an amazing weapon for sport-touring, backroading, and commuuting. Not heavy for an open class and I can take the wife when I want to. It will do 135 in the high desert yet is comfortable for 500 miles days, and weighs less than 500 pounds.

That 1050 motor is my absolute favorite,(Riding for 30+ years and owned my share of bikes). Easy to get an extra 10 horses from it to match the 2013

Triumph builds a “standard”, in a fact they build a few. Maybe you should avoid looking at bikes since you get so worked up about it!

Have you ever RIDDEN an “adventure”-type bike ? THey go just as fast on PUBLIC roads as any sane rider would want to go and typically have great brakes and the long-travel suspension is great on poor-condition roads, combine THAT with a comfortable riding position and roomy accomodation for a passenger (every one I’ve had has raved how good the V-Strim is back there) and what you have IS the new standard motorcycle. What’s not to like ? I’ve seen a skilled 5’6″ rider handle a stock R1200GS all over the Dolomites, too – not everyone has to flat-foot you know.

Your formula for your perfect standard bike would probably produce a slow track bike with a wobbly soft suspension, a commuting bike that has an engine that feels strangled in stop and go traffic with a rock hard suspension that jars the rider everytime you hit a pothole on a city street, or perhaps a touring bike that fits one and a half adults with a range of under a hundred miles. Triumph does produce a standard motorcycle as you’ve requested in the form of the Bonnieville and Thruxton lines. These were the track bikes of their day, riders have gone around the world on the same machines and they are used for daily commuting today. If you want utility then be prepared to compromise.

I like it. Should my Buell Ulysses ever die this could be the replacement. Everyone always has a wish they would change something statement to make. Mine would be that it had a belt instead of a chain. Certainly not a deal breaker.

i am 30″ inseam but ride a almost 33″ ducati streetfighter (besides a 996, FJR1300, monster). I actually will not mind riding a multistrada or a GS or explorer by myself.. but If I am going to use a bike as a twp-up and/or sportouring bike – meaning I need secure footing with passenger load or gravel stops then I would like the bike to be lower. Crusty Kris is right directionally – 90% or 60% – the point is this is not design fit for purpose. tall seats on motocross or enduro or even track bikes are fine but utilitarian bikes need utilitarian everyday design.